Bureau County, Illinois
Bureau County stretches across north-central Illinois, with Princeton serving as the county seat. Known for its peaceful small-town character, the county features a landscape dominated by rolling prairies and wide-open rural scenery.
Corn and soybeans are among the most common crops grown throughout Bureau County. In recent years, wind turbines have become a familiar part of the horizon, while the Illinois River Valley cuts through the northeastern portion of the county.
Bureau County has a rich history of coal mining, with many immigrants once arriving to work in the local mines. Today, the Hennepin Canal offers popular opportunities for fishing and kayaking. The Red Covered Bridge is another notable local landmark and one of the few remaining covered bridges in Illinois.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Bureau County |
| County Seat | Princeton |
| Etymology | Named after Pierre de Bureo, a North American fur trader |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Princeton, Spring Valley, Ladd, Walnut, Sheffield, Wyanet, Tiskilwa, Cherry, Manlius, Neponset, Arlington, and various other unincorporated communities. |
| Interstates and Highways | Interstate 80, U.S. Highway 6, U.S. Highway 34, Illinois Route 26, Illinois Route 40, Illinois Route 92 |
| FIPS Code | 17-011 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 874 square miles (land: 869 sq mi, water: 5 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Whiteside County (Northwest), Lee County (North), LaSalle County (East), Putnam County (Southeast), Marshall County (South), Stark County (Southwest), Henry County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41.3974° N, 89.5091° W |
| Major Landmarks | Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Red Covered Bridge, Lovejoy Homestead |
| Population | Approximately 32,000 |
